Last night's debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden -- the only running mates' debate -- drew a bigger television audience than last week's premiere presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain.

In the 55 largest TV markets, 45 percent of all viewers were watching, according to Nielson. This was far higher than the 31.6 rating for the Obama-McCain debate.

The Baltimore market brought the largest TV audience to the debate, with a household rating of 59.1

Los Angeles market had the lowest household rating: 34.4.

The overall nunmbers of viewers nationwide will be avaiable soon.

But, Nielson reports, "if these numbers hold up, this could be one of the most-watched debates ever.''

Comments

I gave up on Palin but now I am giving up on Katie Couric and CBS.
I will never watch her again! The deliberate editorial editing of the Palin interviews was a disgrace.http://www.boppoll.com
I do not think McCain has much of a chance to win but he can now go down swinging. Let's hope the press focuses on issues moving forward.

So shocking that a debate on a Thursday night would outdraw a debate on a Friday night. It's not like people do other things on a Friday night or anything.

Besides, a lot of people were watching it for auto-racing reasons: they were hoping someone would crash and burn and they wanted to be there to see it. Between Biden's past foot-in-mouth gaffes and Palin's inability to put together a coherent answer in her interviews, it did seem like it could happen.

Well DUH Biden/Palin outdrew Obama/McCain. They aired the debate on a - think, people - THURSDAY night! Thursday night TV always draws more viewers than Friday night. In fact, I was annoyed that I had to be out last Friday at an event scheduled before I knew it was debate night and had to miss it. Next Tuesday I will be watching Obama trounce McCain (I hope). Note to TV genius brainiacs: do not air an important political circus on a Friday night. Ever.

Gov. Palin did very well. Event's will still determine this election as neither McCain or Obama really stand out as strong presidential material. If people are concerned about Palin becoming President at least she look's like a better choice than Joe Biden.

I didn't bother watching/listening to either "debate". Last night, i was enjoying the Dodgers pounding the Cubs. Baseball is much more rewarding than listening to charlatans recite their well-rehearsed lines.

I'm sure Palin will always do well when she can plan on what to say. Thinking on the spot doesn't seem to be one of her talents. I think she's trying to obscure that with her comments about the Washington elite and speaking "without a filter". In other words, she can't talk to people with a collegiate education.

Anyone can clearn to memorize certian facts and statements, but when it comes to understanding the issues, Palin is just not qualified. I am not sure she would be qualified to be a senator. McCain should have done more research before he choose her, now they can bow out gracefully.,

Not sure how you can fairly say Palin is a better choice than Biden. Biden knows what he's talking about, while Palin merely impersonates someone who knows what she's talking about. Biden engages the real world when he speaks and thinks, while Palin seems to live and think in Disneyworld. I am honestly baffled how anyone could consider her vice-presidential material after last night's debate. Biden, on the other hand, is obviously and perfectly capable.

I still don't see how some people think Palin did well. As usual, she didn't answer the questions she was asked with answers to those questions. Palin went off subject a dozen times, typically to try and throw some zinger at Biden. Senator Biden appeared to have a much better grasp of the issues that were discussed, but Governor Palin is being praised for not saying anything as foolish as she has during previous interviews. Well, the reason she didn't is because she simply avoided answering hard questions. All I can say is that I'm praying this woman doesn't ever become our president because what we are seeing right now in the United States will be nothing compared to the devastation we'll face if she become our leader.

The reason many people think Palin did very well is she exceeded expectations. She didn't actually answer questions and demonstrated a general lack of knowledge. She did do an excellent job of regurgitating composed talking points, although the facts on many of these sound bites have been shown to be wrong.

Biden performed exactly as expected, which isn't exciting to anyone. We *expected* him to know something, and he demonstrated that he knows plenty. We *expected* him to be able to answer questions, which he did just fine.

Unfortunately, the sideshow that is Sarah Palin was the reason everyone watched this debate. Obama supporters watched to see if she blatantly exposed her lack of qualification (which she did). McCain supporters watched and held their breath to see if she could get through without making a complete fool of herself (which she also did).

Disappointing. This country has dumbed itself down to depressing levels.

I am at a total loss to understand why anyone would vote for Palin after last night's debate. There was little substance to any of her responses, that is when she wasn't avoiding the question altogether. I guess some people are swayed by cutesy smiles and winks and "you betchas" in place of real intelligence and substance. The USA deserves better than this

It amuses me that there are people who rate senators ahead of govenors; senators aren't responsible for running anything except their mouths! By all accounts Alaska is a well run state, fiscally sound, and provides large cash payouts and other benefits to all its residents. What's the downside in having a govenor with demonstrated competence become vice president?

Regarding the particular issue on equality, Biden prides our Constitution and its support for equal civil rights, while Palin was "tolerant." The difference here is that Progressives move us toward ending this last vestige of prejudice toward people born with attraction to same sex partners, whether we fully understand this nor not, while Regressives perpetuate prejudice by avoiding discussion of accaptance. The important point here is that love, acceptance and kindness toward all people in America are higher moral values and more akin to true virtues and our Constitution than any kind of "tolerance".

Funny how Palin didn't win, but in a group of undecided voters that where split right down the middle of being Bush voters and Kerry voters last election, seven of them said that they are now leaning towards a canidate, six where for McCain. Funny how someone that lost the debate made so much headway. For the record, she won over a couple of black voters to boot.

It was a shame that she went easy on Obama. She could have done some serious damage with that huge TV audience. Imagine if she started to talk about his sleezy deals with Rezko & co. and how his wife co-incidentally got the $200k pay rise just at the same time as he awarded her boss a multi-million dollar government grant. Now that would have really made headlines! Lucky for Obama that he can keep the lid on his past so only a few of us Chicago locals know the real story.

Sarah Palin was THE draw and lighted up the TV airways. Watch for humongous crowds whereever she goes. And she made her points without the media censorship. Now the public knows she's smart, articulate, and a bright new star on the political horizon. She broke through the media conspiracy against her. As a result, we the people are the winners.
By the way, the Drudge Poll had 450,000 responses and Palin the winner with 70 percent. Kind of dwarfs the networks' 700 or so, hey? But veracity is not their long suit, is it?

Palin sound like a babbling fool--no substance, almost like a scatched record--no intelligence--all rehearsed. When asked what is the role of a Vice President, she could not answer without looking at her notes, then the answer she gave was not coherent. Look a the debate again and you will see what I mean. As an independent voter she did not convince me that a McCain/Palin ticket could handle the problems we are facing, like the economy or anything else for that matter. I can't take this charade. This is not the year for the Republicans..Good Bye..McCain I've had enough.

It's quite sad that more people are interested in how bad Sarah Palin can mess up than the candidates who are running for President. McCain was so stupid to name this woman as his Vice. Between him acting half senile and her not doing much better, that's quite a team.

While the (26) people in the fine state of Alaska have known her a bit longer, the rest of the country has now been aware of Sarah Palin for all of 35 days. Hard to believe, but true: it was only on August 29th that we were introduced to our maybe-VP.

Yep, she's a punkin, a real spitfire, a "meeyaverick" as she repeatedly points out. But what the hell, people? After 8 years of mayhem at the hands of another maverick, a cowboy of a former guv with a folksy style who nonetheless doesn't know his arse from his elbow when it comes to running this country, are we really considering doing it again? REALLY?

Our last aw-shucks governor has plundered the resources of this country, (mis)led us into a war with Iraq based on false information and outright lies while allowing Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda to remain at large, and steered us into one of the worst economic crises our country has ever seen. Repeat after me: The worst US President EVER.

So what harm can a cute little governor (who by the by was placed under investigation in Alaska by state lawmakers at the end of July) do Joe Six Pack, soccer and hockey moms, and all of the rest of us Americans in the good ol' U S of A?

Palin recited memorized lines, avoided direct questioning, talked like idiot, giving a 'shout out' to some teachers in Alaska and talking about 'joe six pack?' Give me a break. She is not vice presidential material. I dn not want a vice president who went to 4 or 5 colleges nor a president who finished near the very bottom of his Naval Academy class. I want very smart people running my country. Not an old man with an Alaskan local yokal.

McCain did a very good job in selecting Sarah Palin, he kept his party tradition of selecting dumb person as V.P, exactly same as George Bush Sr. under Reagan, Dick Cheney under Bush and Dan Quayle "Patato" under Bush Sr.. When President Reagan asked Quayle to go to Central America, he landed in Kansas City.

Palin did a wonderful job. She kicked bidens old butt. He stammered and lied over 20 times. His lies are being spread all over hte internet. Obama made a horrible choice. He had a chance to pick Hillary. But, he was afraid that he would be found hanging in the Oval Office.

McCain and Palin should not even be close in this race. But, because 48% of Americans do not trust Obama, McCain is still close. Watch the polls. McCain will start to climb.

If Obama ran on something besides his race and color, he would not even be close. He has no experience. He is running on change. But ask him what he will change, and he beats around the bush and gives no answer.

We do need a change. But Obamas plan does not offer anything but more of the same.

There is a bright side to the unfortunate inevitability of Senators Obama and Biden winning the White House this November: Governor Palin will be available to replace Blagojavich as Governor of Illinois.

Governor of Alaska? Alaska has 500,000 citizen's. That is less than Milwaukee, County in Wisconsin. Alaska has two main highways, one goes to Fairbanks and the other to Canada. Alaska has a budget that gives 1200 dollars to each citizen. The infrastructure in Alaska was already in place when Palin was elected. After the bridge was canceled Palin spent the money elsewhere. Palin is under investigation for abusing her authority. Palin is a redneck. We are just getting rid of two cowboys, we sure as hell don't need a red-neck to replace them. The definition of a red-neck, is a beer guzzling, gun toting, whiskey sucking, nascar cheering, dumb, cussing, uneducated, church going hippocrates, the kind of people that Rush Limbaugh yells at through his microphone. whiteagle38

As I read some of the nasty, hateful comments on here for the McCain/Palin ticket, I am completely convinced that this country is brainwashed by the liberal media and the hate they spew. It's pathetic. People need to WAKE UP and ask themselves why they find it necessary to crucify Palin for having a good moral character. Is having morals out of style now? I have to laugh every time I hear another one of Hollywoods liberal finest comment on how much they hate Palin...as if they are anyone to take advise from? lets face it, they are NO role model for anyone. Bottom line is this, the Liberal media can try to convince you that the inexperienced Obama is the one to put in office but you have to do your own research and stop allowing the Liberal media to dictate what they want you to believe. It makes me laugh that Americans will take some smooth talking wet behind the ears man and want him in office because they are convinced he will change anything. One man didnt screw this country up to where it is now, it took a village to do that and a lack of moral character from the libs.

How sad to see McSame's choice trying to play every trick she knows.
Winks, "May I call you Joe?", and her general flippant and yes, smarmy, non-answers make me very, very concerned for our country.
I'm voting for Obama, who can speak and read and teach. And, I'm betting that he can learn and study. And, he will surround himself with smart, intelligent people. And, listen to his wife, because she's really, really smart!

How can you say you wont support a ticket with an ill prepared VP when the top of the dem ticket has less experience in public office then Palin.
Do you believe anything Barak Obama has to say? Or do you just want to believe him so bad cause were in such trouble?
People blame Bush for Iraq..Everyone forgets all the U.N. resolutions that were broken that led to the war. Everyone said there were WMD's but Dem's like to think Bush made the whole thing up..convenient to blame Bush for everything.
The economy: Do you really think Bush was to blame for low income loans and exotic loan products sold to people who couldn't afford it? Yes Dem's think Bush did that too.
And energy: I suppose Bush is to blame that we haven't built any new refineries or drilled in Alaska or the lack of new nuclear power plants. Yes i know Dem's think Bush is to blame for everything. Its sad and delusional.

Palin won the sound bite war even answering the questions she wished to answer. She may have won on "form." Biden, in my humble opinion, won on "substance." Whether or not you agreed with Biden, the contrast in depth of understanding was obvious. If they had allowed follow-ups or discussion between the candidates, I fear Palin would have folded. That's why she does so poorly in interviews

I kind of resent both of them doing the Bill-Clinton-GW-Bush-common-man-come-to-my-barbeque-eat-at-McDonalds thingy. We need leaders who actually know something and are willing to talk about what they know rather than pander. But then I guess I'd have to have higher expectations of the electorate too.

Any worries of the moderator being biased seemed to be unfounded.

I don't think it changed many minds, as far as voting intentions. Palin groupies, in search of their own "Rock Star," will continue touting her as the victor of the debate and covergirl for a CHRISTIAN-feminist revival. The fact that McCain has pulled out of Michigan will more than erase any PR points Palin may have made. I've been wrong before..I really thought McCain would choose Romney, who would have also kept Michigan in play.

Talk about a learning curve, five weeks in and all hopes rest on Sarah at the VP debate, no thanks to Katie Couric. Sarah knocks it out of the ballpark; again. However, there’s an observation I'd like to make about Democratic politicians. A faux pas they commit with increased regularity. I'm sure you've noticed. I call it the Bozo Factor. Now if you don't like Bozo the clown, if you feel that he is a particularly bad clown and bad for the country, why then don a Bozo wig, a pair of size 14 shoes, and a rubber nose when denouncing Bozo?

If there’s an official uniform of the president, it's the pastel blue tie, white shirt, and dark suit first popularized by George W. Bush. The color scheme comes from the presidential flag. No other American president made those colors his distinctive style before George W. Bush. In 2004, Bill Clinton even had his presidential portrait painted wearing George W's signature garb. Although the 1960 Kennedy vs. Nixon debate was televised in black & white, people still argue the significance color played during the election.

But, there remains no uncertainty about which candidate wore what color. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And, the fashion police have long memories. Ms. Palin dressed for and aced the debate. Note: before castigating Bozo, please try not to emulate Bozo. It makes one look like a Bozo. We must learn from Joe Biden and never allow our inner Bozos to dictate our mode of dress: http://theseedsof9-11.com

As Gov. Palin so eloquently put it during the VP debate on Thusday: Sen. Obama wants to “waive the white flag of defeat” in Iraq. I think most Americans, right of left of the aisle, do not want that to happen. Regardless of whether or not you supported the war at its onset, not to mention the debacle it transitioned into before Gen. Petreaus got there, we are clearly winning now. The terrorists are on the run, safety is improving, and if we don’t get it right this time, we’ll probably have to go back 10 years from now to fix it anyways. It’s like snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Iraq has been doing well lately and it would be crime to let the lawlessness that has reigned for the last 3 years loose once again to ravage the country and its people.

Palin went on to point out that Obama is insistent on pursuing “dangerous” foreign policies and remains “naive” when it comes to the ways of the world. Imagine what people would say about anyone else promoting a 16 month withdraw plan for well over 18 months, and then saying that no revisions were necessary? That sounds pretty naïve to me. Obama says that we have to win the fight in Afghanistan, which is the central front on the War on Terror, and not Iraq. I don’t understand how we could possibly win in Afghanistan if we capitulate in Iraq. That is a very dangerous assumption to make, especially for someone running for President.

What is wrong with you people who think Palin won? Is your expectations so low that you think because she didn't make a major gaffe, that she is the better vp candidate? She refused to answer most questions, even so far as telling Gwen, the moderator, she wasn't going to answer them? She asked Senator Biden whether she could call him Joe, and then see's fit to denigrate him ("say it ain't so Joe"). I don't want a folksy,hockey mom in the second highest office in the nation, I want someone damn, and I mean damn, smart in office. I don't want the person siting next to me at the nearest pub leading the nation.

And what about the statement where she thought that the office of vp should have more powers and that the Constitution of the United States was flexible? Why is that not mentioned in the media? The Constituion is NOT flexible without the consent of the people, oh wait, I forgot who also thinks that way and is presently in office.

Oh, and not to mention that she was "annoyed" with Katie Couric's questioning (now, I'm usually just annoyed with Couric on her own, but thought she asked valid questions)... Palin fails to understand that there's a difference between a stump speech (where she can slam her opponet) and a "who the hell are you" interview.

Lastly, why are her and the top person on her ticket ( I do belive it's McCain/Palin and not Palin/McCain) at odds over whether to pull out of Michigan? Aren't they at least on the same team?

I have a lot of respect for McCain, I'm not voting for him, but at least I could have stomached him as president. However, with Palin on the ticket, I fear greatly for this country. She's nothing less than an uneducated George Bush/ Dick Cheney in a skirt. No matter on where you stand on Roe v. Wade, does the American public really want someone who can't name any other Supreme Court case (even one effecting her own state) appointing Justices?

Might I remind you, Bush and McCain are also socialists. They also pushed for the banking bailout.

Health care is quickly gaining ground to be the next bubble. Can someone out there explain to me how I get a bill for $300 for a fifteen minute doctors visit and my insurance pays $125 while I pay $25? Eight years ago I would have paid $10.

It says more about the people who think Biden was more informed and knowledgable than Palin. He completely made up the part about his and Obama's part in trying to get Hamas out of Lebanon… they've been there for 25 years!! His supposed blue collar backround is complete fabrication - his father was a manager and they lived very comfortably. And he brought up the house he lives in on (5 acres of lakefront property that he got at cost and an almost 8000 sq ft home that he paid $350,000 for) as a preemptive strike because all those facts were revealed that morning.
All you people who love Biden simply want Republicans out of office. God help us all with Barrack's new taxes - it will be your own fault.

It says more about the people who think Biden was more informed and knowledgable than Palin. He completely made up the part about his and Obama's part in trying to get Hamas out of Lebanon… they've been there for 25 years!! His supposed blue collar backround is complete fabrication - his father was a manager and they lived very comfortably. And he brought up the house he lives in on (5 acres of lakefront property that he got at cost and an almost 8000 sq ft home that he paid $350,000 for) as a preemptive strike because all those facts were revealed that morning.
All you people who love Biden simply want Republicans out of office. God help us all with Barrack's new taxes - it will be your own fault.

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